Key-press structure and a method for making the same

ABSTRACT

A key-press structure comprises a transparent substrate, a plurality of characters formed inside the transparent substrate thereby forming a plurality of keys, and a touch control member disposed on the surface of the transparent substrate such that each of the keys is operable to sense a touch event.

RELATED U.S. APPLICATION DATA

This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/342,509, filed on Dec. 23, 2008.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/342,509, filed on Dec. 23, 2008 and Chinese Patent Application No. 200710301488.1, filed on Dec. 27, 2007, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to the cell phone field, more specifically to a key-press structure of cell phones and a method for making the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

As a result of the development of the cell phone industry, cell phones have already become a must-have communication tool. To showcase the fashion of cell phones, mobile phone designers try to design cell phones with different qualitative sensation and appearances by changing cell phone materials.

At present, the conventionally used key-press material of cell phones is either plastic or metallic. A few companies use crystal material to manufacture cell phone key-presses. A typical key-structure is showed in FIG. 1. First, a film 2 is coated or plated onto the surface of cell phone key-press 1 via printing or plating. Then part of the coated or plated film 2 on the surface of the key-press 1 is removed via laser carving to form carved out characters 3. Subsequently, a light-guide 4 which guides light upwards is disposed under the key-press 1 such that the light from a light source (not shown) will transmit from under the carved out characters 3. In order to protect the characters on the surface of the key, a protection layer 5 is disposed on the film 2 of the key 1. However, after prolonged use, the characters on the conventional key-press surface are still easily worn out. Therefore, to prevent the wear and tear of the characters on the surface of the key, some companies internally laser carve the key-press which is made up of PC, ABS or other plastic materials. However, due to the characteristics of the materials themselves, the cracking point inside the key-press after laser carving is black, which leads to a poor light guide effect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a key-press structure comprises a transparent substrate, a plurality of characters formed inside the transparent substrate thereby forming a plurality of keys, and a touch control member disposed on the surface of the transparent substrate such that each of the keys is operable to sense a touch event.

In another aspect, a key-press structure comprises a transparent substrate, a plurality of characters formed inside the transparent substrate thereby forming a plurality of keys, and an electrically conductive layer disposed on the internal surface of the transparent substrate such that each of the keys is operable to sense a touch event.

In yet another aspect, a method of preparing a key-press structure comprises: forming a plurality of characters inside a transparent substrate, and forming a touch control member on the surface of the transparent substrate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sketch map of the traditional key-press structure.

FIG. 2 is a sketch map of the plane structure of the key-press and the frame according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sketch map of the back structure of the key-press and the frame.

FIG. 4 is a sketch map of the plane structure of the key-press according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a touchscreen key-press structure in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The key-press structure and the preparing method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure are illustrated in detail below in view of the drawings. As FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show, the key-structure comprises a frame (6) and a plurality of keys (1) disposed in said frame (6). Said frame (6) comprises a main portion (7) and two reflecting portions (8) formed on the two opposite sides of the main portion (7). Said reflecting portion (8) has a reflective surface (9) facing toward the main portion (7). A light source (10) is disposed in or next to the reflecting portion (8). Said keys (1) are disposed in the main portion (7). Said main portion (7) and said keys (1) are made up of transparent material, and characters are formed on the internal surface of said keys (1). As used herein, transparent materials include both transparent and translucent materials so long as the characters are visible when light is irradiated at the key-press.

The characters of said keys (1) may be formed via any suitable method known to persons having ordinary skills in the art, such as laser carving. Said main portion (7) can be in any suitable shape, such as a rectangle, a substantially rectangular shape, or a semi-circular shape. In one example, said main portion (7) is a rectangle. Said reflection portion (8) can be in any suitable shape, such as a triangle, a substantially triangular shape, or a trapezoid. In one example, said reflecting portion (8) is a triangle. One side of each triangular reflecting portion (8) is one of the two opposite sides of the rectangular main portion (7). The surface of one of the other two sides of each triangular reflecting portion (8) is the reflective surface (9). The light source (10) is located near the surface of the third side of each triangular reflecting portion (8).

Preferably, said reflecting portion (8) is a right-angled triangle. The relatively long right-angled side of said right-angled triangle is one side of the said rectangular main portion (7). The surface of the hypotenuse of said right-angled triangle is the reflective surface (9). The angle a between said hypotenuse and the relatively long right-angled side is about 5-10°. Said two opposite sides of the main portion (7) where the reflecting portions (8) are formed have a scattering surface (11).

As FIG. 3 shows, to use the light source (10) sufficiently, the light transmitted from the light source (10) to the reflective surface (9) is preferably substantially totally reflected from the reflective surface (9) and incidents to the scattering surface (11), where the light is scattered and the scattered light passes to each key (1). This can be accomplished by disposing upon or coating the reflective surface (9) with a reflective material, such as mirror effect silver, a reflective stainless steel metallic layer, a reflective paint and so on. Preferably, mirror effect silver is used. Said scattering surface (11) is a matted surface which can ensure that the light reflected by the mirror surface will be scattered thereon, thus the keys (1) will receive uniform light. Preferably, said light source (10) is an LED. Said LED can be any color. The characters on the crystal key-press exhibit different colors under light sources of different colors. The characters appear to be crystal clear, and have a high stereoscopic effect.

To limit the light loss of the LED to a maximal degree, mirror effect silver is coated on said two opposite sides of said rectangular main portion (7). Thus the light from the LED will repeatedly reflect when it reaches the inside surfaces of the frame (6).

To maximize the crystal clear effect and the stereoscopic effect, the exterior surface of the frame (6) can be coated with an opaque layer.

The transparent material used in said main portion (7) and said keys (1) can be crystal, glass, or transparent polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate. Preferably, it is transparent crystal.

Crystal is a transparent SiO₂ crystal. The main component is SiO₂. The integrated crystal is hexagonal cone cylinder; the specific gravity is about 2.7; rigidity is higher than about 7; melting point is above about 1713° C.; reflective index is about 2.0; and total reflection angle is about 30°. It also has good performance in temperature, acid, and alkaline resistance, and has stable chemical properties.

A method of preparing the keys (1) and frame (6) with a thickness of about 0.6 mm-1.5 mm from crystal is described as follows.

The crystal material is heated until melted. The melted crystal material is injected into a mold for the keys (1) and another mold for the frame (6). Then the crystal material is molded by cooling to form the keys (1) and frame (6). Alternatively, the crystal material can be cut into pieces according to the shapes of the keys (1) and frame (6). Then the pieces are polished to form the keys (1) and frame (6). Said methods of heating the crystal material until melted and of cutting the crystal material for polishing molding are well-known in the art.

A method of preparing the key-press structure comprises forming said frame (6) with said reflection surface (9), and disposing the light source (10) in or next to said reflecting portion (8) of said frame (6). The method further comprises forming the characters on the internal surface of the keys (1) via internal carving, and disposing said keys (1) inside said main portion (7) of said frame (6).

Said internal carving can be laser internal carving. The principle of the laser carving is as follows. By focusing the laser light properly, the energy density of the laser is controlled such that it is lower than the damage threshold of the material before the laser enters the processing area to be internally carved, while it is higher than the damage threshold of the material when the laser enters the processing area to be internally carved. The laser is controlled to produce pulses within a short time, the energy of the laser can heat and break the carven material instantly to produce a plurality of tiny white points.

According to one embodiment, the molded crystal key (1) is fixed on a key-press fixture. The keys are carved using a laser carving equipment. Preferably, a 532 nm wavelength Diode Pumped Solid-State Green Laser is selected, and the internal carving power is about 10-15 w. The carved character on key (1) is preferably made of a plurality of white cracking points, which are formed in the laser carving process. Meanwhile the carving layer number can be determined according to the thickness of the key-press (1). For example, two layers can be carved if the key-press (1) is thicker than about 1 mm such that the effect will be better than one carved layer. The keys can be internally carved individually to form the various characters. Alternatively, the keys on the key-structure can be carved simultaneously.

The key-press structure and the preparing method according to the embodiment of the present invention use a crystal material to prepare the key-press. The characters are carved on the internal surface of the key-press. Utilizing the full reflection principles, the point light source of different colors from the LED irradiates on the reflection surface of the right-angled triangular reflection portion which is coated with mirror effect silver, where the point light source is turned to line light sources. Since the character carved in the key is made up of various small white points, when the light incidents from the side of the key-press, the cracking white points will render the light different from the light in other un-carved area. Thus, the characters will exhibit clearly and have a crystal clear and stereoscopic effect. Further, as the characters are carved on the internal surface of the key-press, which is different from the traditional printed key-press, the characters on the key-press will not be worn out.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the key-press is an integral structure. The characters on the key-press are internally carved at once. The characters on the keys are formed on the internal surface of the integral key-press structure. This method shortens the molding and carving time, and improves productivity.

Referring to FIG. 4, the integral key-press structure comprises a transparent substrate (2), and a plurality of characters (3) formed inside the transparent substrate (2). Preferably, the integral key-press structure comprises a light source (1). Referring to FIG. 4, the light source (1) disposed at the side of the key-press can illuminate all the characters (3) on the integral key-press structure, in the absence of any light guide. Preferably, the light source is an LED lamp. The LED can be any color. Because the key-press structure is an integral structure, it can be used as touch screens for various applications, such as laptop computers and mobile phones. For example, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, a touch control member is disposed on the surface of the substrate (2) to form a touchscreen key-press structure. As such, the characters (3) can function as keys. Each of the keys is operable to sense a touch event or touch signal on the transparent substrate (2). For example, when a finger or an object contacts the transparent substrate (2), the touch control member may sense the contact accordingly.

The touch control member can be any suitable touchscreen panels known in the art. Preferably, it may be a resistive touchscreen panel, a capacitive touchscreen panel, or an infrared touchscreen. Preferably, the touch control member is a resistive touchscreen panel or a capacitive touchscreen panel. For example, touch panels made by Micro touch Company and ELO Company may be used. The size of the touch panel may be selected according to the requirement of the key press structure. In one preferred embodiment, the touch control member is an electrically conductive layer. Preferably, the conductive layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of indium-tin oxide (ITO), indium-zinc-oxide, aluminum zinc oxide, and combinations thereof. More preferably, the electrically conductive layer is made from indium-tin oxide.

The touch control member can be disposed on the surface of the substrate (2) by any suitable method. Preferably, the touch control member is disposed on the surface of the transparent substrate (2) by an adhesive agent. The adhesive agent can be any suitable optically clear adhesive (OCA). Preferably, the adhesive agent is 3M™ OCA 8142, 8212, or 8213. Where the touch control member is a conductive material, the conductive material can be coated on the surface of the transparent substrate (2). The coating method can be any suitable method. Preferably, the coating method is magnetron sputtering. More preferably, high temperature annealing is carried out after magnetron sputtering.

The substrate (2) can be any suitable transparent and insulating material known in the field. Preferably, the substrate (2) comprises a material selected from crystal, glass, transparent polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, and combinations thereof. Preferably, the substrate (2) comprises glass.

The substrate (2) has a predetermined thickness. On one hand, the substrate (2) can be internally carved to form characters inside the substrate; on the other hand, the substrate (2) would not interfere with the function of the touch control member. Preferably, the substrate (2) has a thickness of about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm. More preferably, the thickness is about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm. More preferably, it is about 1.0 mm to about 1.5 mm. Still referring to FIG. 4, a method of preparing the key-press structure is provided. Starting materials, such as crystals or glass, are cut into the desired shape. Then, the material is polished along the peripheries to form the integral substrate (2). A plurality of characters (3) are formed inside the transparent substrate (2). A touch control member is disposed on a surface of the transparent substrate (2). An LED light source (1) is disposed on one side of the substrate (2). In order to efficiently utilize the light source, the three sides of the substrate (2) other than the side with the light source can be coated with a reflective material.

The integral key-press structure is then fixed on a key-press fixture. The substrate (2) can be carved using a laser carving equipment, as described in the first embodiment of the present invention, to form characters (3) inside the substrate (2).

Referring to FIG. 5, the substrate (2) is a glass with a thickness of about 1.2 mm. Characters (3) are formed inside the substrate (2) via internal laser carving. A 532 nm wavelength Diode Pumped Solid-State Green Laser is selected, and the internal carving power is about 10-15 w. The carved characters on the substrate (2) are made of a plurality of white cracking points, which are formed in the laser carving process. An LED source (1) is disposed at the side of the substrate (2) illuminating all the characters (3) in the integral key-press (2). Touch panel (13) is a 3.2″ capacitive touch panel from ELO Company. The touch panel (13) is disposed beneath the substrate (2). The adhesive 3M™ OCA8142 (12) is used to bind the substrate (2) and the touch panel (13) together.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description; and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications of the present disclosure can be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. 

1. A key-press structure comprising: a transparent substrate; a plurality of characters formed inside the transparent substrate thereby forming a plurality of keys; and a touch control member disposed on a surface of the transparent substrate such that each of the keys is operable to sense a touch event.
 2. The key-press structure of claim 1, wherein the transparent substrate comprises a material selected from crystal, glass, transparent polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, and combinations thereof.
 3. The key-press structure of claim 1, wherein the characters are formed by laser carving.
 4. The key-press structure of claim 1, wherein the characters are formed inside the substrate simultaneously.
 5. The key-press structure of claim 1, wherein the characters are made of a plurality of cracking points formed in the laser carving.
 6. The key-press structure of claim 5, wherein the cracking points are tiny white points.
 7. The key-press structure of claim 1, wherein the transparent substrate has a thickness of from about 0.1 mm to about 3 mm.
 8. The key-press structure of claim 7, wherein the transparent substrate has a thickness of from about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm.
 9. The key-press structure of claim 1, further comprising a light source disposed adjacent to the edge of the transparent substrate.
 10. The key-press structure of claim 9, wherein the light source is an LED lamp.
 11. The key-press structure of claim 1, wherein the touch control member is a resistive touchscreen panel or a capacitive touchscreen panel.
 12. The key-press structure of claim 1, wherein the touch control member is disposed on the surface of the transparent substrate by an adhesive agent.
 13. The key-press structure of claim 12, wherein the adhesive agent is an optically clear adhesive.
 14. A key-press structure comprising: a transparent substrate; a plurality of characters formed inside the transparent substrate thereby forming a plurality of keys; and an electrically conductive layer disposed on a surface of the transparent substrate such that each of the keys is operable to sense a contact event.
 15. The key-press structure of claim 14, wherein the conductive layer is made from a material selected from the group consisting of indium-tin oxide, indium-zinc-oxide, aluminum zinc oxide, and combinations thereof.
 16. The key-press structure of claim 15, where the conductive layer is made from indium-tin oxide.
 17. A method of preparing a key-press structure comprising: forming a plurality of characters inside a transparent substrate; and forming a touch control member on the surface of the transparent substrate.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the characters are formed by internal laser carving.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the touch control member is an indium-tin oxide layer; and wherein the indium-tin oxide layer is formed on the surface of the transparent substrate by magnetron sputtering.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising a step of annealing. 